Here is my finally completed Bandai Scopedog. Finally felt like finishing it after binging Palisen files. Awesome kit. I recommend anybody mildly interested pick up the "Metal Spec" version (for less than the normal) while its on sale @ HLJ.

My Bandai Red Shoulder kit arrived last week and I am very impressed with the engineering. Everything fits precisely and when assembled most of the flash is hidden. The box is big (39x31x11 cm - 15x12x4 inches). Shipping was about $15 with SAL.

Wow. Don't really have time to watch anime but I've been catching Votoms "on demand" here and there in Japanese. It's super dark.. I've owned most of the vintage takara stuff for years and never really known the backstory. I can really dig now why folks are so down with Chirico. Hardcore.

Sachiel Wrote:
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> I've been watching in On Demand, too. I'm really
> enjoying it. Now I'm more compelled to buy those
> Bandai Kits. How tall is the Scopedog?

The Bandai Scopedog is 19.5cm (7.7") tall. That is to the top of its head. It is a little bit bigger than the official height of 3804mm x 1/20.

Anavel Wrote:
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> I'm curious about the Anti AT rifle, is it in the
> latest palisen files episodes or are they showing
> it for some other reason?

In Pailsen #7 the crew is being sniped by a guy with a similar looking rifle. There aren't any Fatties in this episode though. I guess we will probably see it in one of the upcoming episodes.

About the anti-AT rifle again. Could it have something to do with Merowlink? These series are about a hunter named Merowlink Ality, who is armed only with an anti-AT rifle. Has anybody seen the series?

So, is the DMZ line dead? Most of the releases are selling for ridiculously cheap on YJ except for the first one, and no news on anything new other than AG, and even those have slowed to a trickle. I guess when it rains it pours, then it's clearance and nothing. The Yamato stuff hasn't really been selling either since the original got TOTY. I guess it's great for those that didn't get stuff yet, it's all marked down, but my retail purchases are now a little more painful when I see the current rates.

It's ironic that the toys came out successfully when there hadn't been a show in over a decade, but as soon as a new series is launched the whole thing dries up.

Chirico Cuvie Wrote:
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> I've since written off that thing. They're saying
> December now for a release, but it's going to be
> in Daigokin territory in terms of price, or worse.

I don't think it's meant for the average toy-buyer. I think this will be geared toward the store display crowd that bought the giant Gundam and Zaku. I think it will easily be over $1000.

Honky Products (god, how I love that company name) hasn't updated their website since last September. Given the current economic climate I wouldn't be surprised if it was shelved, but then again, we're talking about otaku here, so who knows.

I can see $200-$300 for it to sell well, but $3k for plastic or fiberglass is ridiculous. Even if it was diecast $3k would be way too much. It looks like the size of a Jumbo Zaku so it should be around the same price. Maybe they should make a deal with Bandai so this figure actually gets manufactured at a reasonable price.

fiercerobot Wrote:
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> I can see $200-$300 for it to sell well, but $3k
> for plastic or fiberglass is ridiculous. Even if
> it was diecast $3k would be way too much. It looks
> like the size of a Jumbo Zaku so it should be
> around the same price. Maybe they should make a
> deal with Bandai so this figure actually gets
> manufactured at a reasonable price.

"ridiculous... way too much.... Maybe they should make a deal with Bandai so this figure actually gets manufactured at a reasonable price."

A major company like Bandai wouldn't touch a super niche product like this with a ten foot pole. That's a big part of why it's selling for the price that it is.

I think this illustrates a prime example of the difference between Japanese and American fans. Among Japanese fans, I get the sense that people would rather see someone with a dream of making a crazy product pursue it, even if the end result is out of the reach of the average consumer.

Many of my fellow Americans, on the other hand, seem to feel entitled to own everything they want, and if it doesn't happen to fall within some arbitrary price range, then the poor sap who had the gall to chase their dream oughtta be crucified.

> I think this illustrates a prime example of the
> difference between Japanese and American fans.
> Among Japanese fans, I get the sense that people
> would rather see someone with a dream of making a
> crazy product pursue it, even if the end result is
> out of the reach of the average consumer.

A good reason why StudioHalfeye is still around, churning out awesome transforming resin robots which I can't afford.

If Bandai or some other big company would touch this product then this person's dream would come true. This person would end up making more money because his product would be affordable to more people and could be mass produced. Believe me I want this guy to succeed so I can buy his dream. But asking for$3k for a new toy is a strategy that will almost guarantee failure. IMO

This toy has the same articulation as a Jumbo Zaku, made of vinyl and about the same size. Maybe that's why $3k seems so outrageous because it looks like a Jumbo Zaku with a new head and they are asking for $2800 more.